Nottingham Forest legend Roy Keane and fellow pundit Graeme Souness were involved in a furious on-air bust up today (Nov 22). The pair fell out over whether a penalty was given correctly. Football fans were probably not all that surprised that the famously combative duo came to verbal blows while on the same ITV show since both can be very trenchant in their opinions.
The flashpoint came when they were discussing whether Argentina should have been awarded a penalty during their 2-1 surprise loss against Saudi Arabia. In the studio at half time the two were at odds over the penalty given on VAR - with Souness saying that under the rules of the game it was a fair decision, the Mirror reports.
Roy, though, disagreed and blasted it as soft claiming there would be a 'record number of penalties if many more like it were given'. The argument then blew up with fellow ex pro Joe Cole looking distinctly uneasy.
Read more: Piers Morgan agrees with Roy Keane on 'big mistake' from Harry Kane and Gareth Bale
Viewers predictably greeted the verbal exchange with joy on Twitter. Tyrone Marshall said: “Keane and Souness nearly having a scrap on terrestrial TV at 11am on a Tuesday is what World Cups are all about.” Rob Bordman said: “Roy Keane + Graeme Souness # GOLD! How’s it going @laura_woodsy.”
Nancy Gillen added: “Can’t believe we’re being treated to Graeme Souness and Roy Keane clashing heads over Argentina and Saudi Arabia at 11am on a Tuesday.” Si Lloyd added: “The only positive of playing games in the Qatari heat is that Roy Keane and Graeme Souness might end up having a fight.”
The argument continued as follows:
Keane: “No, no, no. All this will do is encourage diving. He’s dragging him down, he’s dragging him down!”
Souness: “Roy, you’re not listening to what Laura is saying. The directive from referees…”
Keane: “I heard exactly what she said. It’s going to encourage diving.”
Souness: “This is not about opinion, that’s a fact, the guy wasn’t looking at the ball.”
Keane: “Well I’m here to give my opinion. That’s not a penalty.”
Souness: “This is not about our opinions, it’s about the laws of the game.”
Keane: “Well what are we here for? I’m here to give my opinion.”
Souness: “Their interpretation…”
Keane: “That’s not a penalty.”
Souness: “Their interpretation, the new laws…”
Keane: “That’s my opinion, that’s why I’m here. I’m here to give my opinion, that’s a penalty. I’m here to give my opinion that’s not a penalty.”
Souness: “I’ve heard you say it 10 times. Do you want to say it again?”
Keane: “That’s not a penalty.”
Souness: “Let someone else speak.”
Keane: “Go ahead.”
Souness: “You learn a lot more if you listen than talk all the time.”
Keane: “Go ahead, go ahead.”
Souness: “The ball has come in, he’s not looking at the ball. The directive from the referee is that’s a penalty, we have to accept that’s a penalty. We’ve seen a different Argentina today, it’s not the Argentina I expected to see, they don’t seem too intent on dominating the ball. I just feel Argentina have another gear to go into.”
Keane: “We’re going to see a record number of penalties at this World Cup, record number. That’s not a penalty.”
Souness: “I thought we moved on from that.”
Keane made a huge impact at Nottingham Forest. The Irishman played for The Tricky Trees from 1990 to 1993 and had a spell as assistant manager under Martin O’Neill three years ago.
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